SOUTH OTAGO WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25384, 16 November 1943, Page 3

SOUTH OTAGO WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

The half-yearly meeting of the South Otago Federation ,of Women’s Institutes was held in the Masonic Hall at Balclutha on Friday. Mrs Cooksley presided and welcomed delegates, members of the WJ3.F.U., and visitors. All the institutes answered the roll call. Mrs Landels (vice-president) presented Mesdames Cooksley, Cross, and Mathieson with sprays of flowers on-'behalf of committee members.

The following points were discussed, and will be further dealt with at the annual meeting: The poor quality of children’s clothes and the high price of footwear, the inadequate supply of sugar for fruit preserving: household linen; a suggestion that a North and South Island Federation be formed and that the South Island have three members on the executive, electing its own members. Miss Cocks-Johnston, A.C.E. tutor, who is conducting a tour of the South Island, was introduced, and spoke of her work on the dehydration of fruits and vegetables, gardening, planting and pruning, the treatment of the soil, and pests and diseases. Mrs Cooksley thanked Miss Cocks-Johnston for her interesting talk, and presented her with a floral spray. Mrs Sharp and Miss Gregan were in charge of the market table. . The takings at the door, market table, and donations came to over £ll. In the afternoon Mrs Leary displayed a collection of toys made from waste material. She indicated tire best toys to make for children of all ages and the most suitable material to use and also gave hints on the arrangement of institute show bays. Mrs Hodding (formerly Miss Mary Pratt) rendered several songs, Mrs J. Garfield Anderson playing the accompaniments. Mrs Tubman (vice-presi-dent) thanked Mrs Leary for her interesting talk and exhibition, and Mrs Hodding for her delightful singing.